Motu M2 preamp producing a poor sound through my se electronics X1A mic

[Greefus]

Thanks for replying.. I can't return the mic as I said I bought it in 2022 and used it just 1 month ago with the M2 and now with the M4 it producing the same muffled and weak sound so I think I have no choice but to buy a new mic cause it sounding like that with two different interfaces

 

[CuriousAli]

You're welcome, I understand, I meant buying an additional new mic which will still have its return window in case it has the same result.

 

[Greefus]

You're welcome, I understand, I meant buying an additional new mic which will still have its return window in case it has the same result.

Yes but finger crossed it doesn't have the same result because I don't know what I will blame if it does lool

 

[CuriousAli]

Yes but finger crossed it doesn't have the same result because I don't know what I will blame if it does lool

Haha I understand, you can try uploading a raw voice record before getting a new mic too.

 

[LTig]

Update: I returned the M2 they gave me the Motu M4 and it still sounds the same I think my microphone has a problem but it surprising because I bought it in 2022 and never used it was in my suitcase since cause I didn't have an interface to use it with at the moment so I'm just lost

When you say yout voice sounds muffled - what is the reference recording you compared it with? You need to keep in mind that your voice as you hear it always sounds different to how other listeners (and microphones) hear it. The latter hear the sound coming through the air, you also hear the voice through bone conduction.

 

[Greefus]

When you say yout voice sounds muffled - what is the reference recording you compared it with? You need to keep in mind that your voice as you hear it always sounds different to how other listeners (and microphones) hear it. The latter hear the sound coming through the air, you also hear the voice through bone conduction.

Thanks for replying I put a video my first post didn't you see that ?? I'm into music since long time I know how my voice sounds and I know how a motu m2 sounds my voice on both interfaces I got sounds weak and muffled and just bad without even mixing and when I mix it sounds worse it sounds like I was recording through a cheap interface or microphone there are many videos on YouTube of people recording with the motu interface and it doesn't even sounds close to how mine sounds first I thought the interface had a problem when I returned it and got the M4 I told the company to test it before delivering to me they did cause the box was even opened and I plugged the same mic and it sounds exactly the same weak sound as if the mic don't have enough power

 

[Theijz]

Thanks for replying I put a video my first post didn't you see that ?? I'm into music since long time I know how my voice sounds and I know how a motu m2 sounds my voice on both interfaces I got sounds weak and muffled and just bad without even mixing and when I mix it sounds worse it sounds like I was recording through a cheap interface or microphone there are many videos on YouTube of people recording with the motu interface and it doesn't even sounds close to how mine sounds first I thought the interface had a problem when I returned it and got the M4 I told the company to test it before delivering to me they did cause the box was even opened and I plugged the same mic and it sounds exactly the same weak sound as if the mic don't have enough power

Dear Greefus,
I do not believe there is something wrong with your microphone, there is no audible distortion or noise which I think is caused by the microphone.
Your comparison video clearly only demonstrates the difference in processing. Your recording uses without doubt autotune, and probably some compression.
The autotune you used alters your sound in a complete different way than the other recording,
The other recording is at least 2 or 3 layers of the same voice, and pretty heavy and professionally processed.
If you still think your microphone is the culprit, listen to this video, and try to replicate his speech, using no processing whatsoever and the same gain settings.

Hearing this I think this mic is a pretty decent mic for it's price, but compare it with the other mic's from the video, or any other microphone you know (even a SM58 for all I care)
And I don't want to point the obvious, but check the filter settings.

Hope it works out for you!

 

[Greefus]

Dear Greefus,
First thing, I do not believe there is something wrong with your microphe, there is no audible distorsion or noise which I think is caused by the microphone.
Your comparison videa clearly only demonstrates the difference in processing. Your recording clearly uses autotune, and probably some compression. The other recording is

So what do you think the problem is please ?

 

[Theijz]

So what do you think the problem is please ?

Dear Greefus, I do not know, because I do not have your microphone, I can only guess it may be caused by the processing you used, but recording techniques are not my specialty.
I suggest trying another microphone you know on your device and comparing the two in the same way the video I linked to did.
That is:
1. Disable all processing, just adjust your gain to enough input.
2. make sure you can reproduce the same output levels of the mic's you compare.
this means you start with something that outputs a constant tone at a repeatable fixed volume and fixed distance, for instance your phone and a tone generator app at 1 KHz.
When you switch mic's, you adjust the gain so your input level monitor shows the exact same value +/- 1 dB.
3. record mic 1 with a text you know well, or try to repeat a line from the video
4. switch to mic 2 and adjust gain
5. record mic 2 with the same text
compare these two, and compare it with the recordings from the video.
And maybe play around speaking real close to your mic,
hope that helps, good luck!

 

[Greefus]

Dear Greefus, I do not know, because I do not have your microphone, I can only guess it may be caused by the processing you used, but recording techniques are not my specialty.
I suggest trying another microphone you know on your device and comparing the two in the same way the video I linked to did.
That is:
1. Disable all processing, just adjust your gain to enough input.
2. make sure you can reproduce the same output levels of the mic's you compare.
this means you start with something that outputs a constant tone at a repeatable fixed volume and fixed distance, for instance your phone and a tone generator app at 1 KHz.
When you switch mic's, you adjust the gain so your input level monitor shows the exact same value +/- 1 dB.
3. record mic 1 with a text you know well, or try to repeat a line from the video
4. switch to mic 2 and adjust gain
5. record mic 2 with the same text
compare these two, and compare it with the recordings from the video.
And maybe play around speaking real close to your mic,
hope that helps, good luck!

Okay thank you